In 2007, Record Store Day was conceived with the idea that celebrating and spreading the word about record store culture would keep the bond between independent record shops and the folks that frequent them strong.

In addition to the fun and sense of community a record shop provides, specialty releases from artists new and old — from rare B-sides and legendary live performances to singles, are produced in a commemorative, limited run making the thrill of the record dig that much more exciting.

Ten years later, the event is celebrated internationally as a day that contributes to the cultural and artistic lives of participants. There's even a Record Store Day ambassador, a title first held by Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes and carried this year by St. Vincent's Annie Clark.

In Chicago, Record Store Day has been embraced by the most of the shops. Evolving over the years, the unofficial holiday is often coupled with a day of in-store performances, giveaways and extended hours to accommodate those hoping to spend time digging through crates for that perfect find.

Here are some spots to visit Saturday, Record Store Day's 10th anniversary, for vinyl and much more.

The first 300 customers will receive a free, limited edition Emporium, Lagunitas and Shuga Records-printed 20 oz. Tall Boy glass and there will be raffle drawings for PAX portable vaporizers and other surprises.

The only rule? "Once doors open, you're only allowed to purchase three official Record Store Day releases, then it's back to the end of the line," says owner Adam Rosen.

Dusty Groove, 1120 N. Ashland Ave.: Not far from Shuga, Dusty Groove — a shop known for pushing soul, funk, jazz, Latin/Brazilian and progressive sounds to the forefront — is also celebrating.

"There really seems to be kind of a carnival-like atmosphere on Record Store Day, and we really roll with that," says buyer Doug Arnold. "We have a prize wheel, popcorn machine, wandering magician — we strive for it to be a fun, unique experience for everybody, including young kids, rather than just a competitive shopping experience."

Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., every purchaser gets a spin of the prize wheel, and there will be freebies and giveaways. Folks in line at 8 a.m. will be treated to coffee and breakfast snacks.

Bric-A-Brac Records, 3156 W. Diversey Ave.: This Logan Square haunt is often packed when doors open at noon Monday to Sunday. On Record Store Day, Bric-A-Brac opens at 8 a.m. and will offer official releases as well as its daily buffet of new and used vinyl, VHS tapes, cassettes, music memorabilia, vintage toys and other pop culture relics. The shop will also offer a slew of in-store performances from local bands, Staring Problem, Bev Rage and the Drinks and L.I.A.R., as well as Nashville-based Roman Polanski's Baby and Evil Triplet hailing from Austin, Texas.

Music starts at 2 p.m. Coffee from Halfwit Roasters and doughnuts from the Donut Vault will be served to early birds. Next door at tiki-themed bar Lost Lake, there will be DJ sets beginning at noon, vegan treats by Ash Lemasters and a Record Store Day exclusive beverage — The Bric-a-Braquiri.

Logan Hardware, 2532 W. Fullerton Ave.: "On a day where everyone's freaking out, we keep it chill," says Logan Hardware owner John Ciba of the celebratory hustle and bustle.

Treating it simply as an "amped up" day, Ciba will open doors at the usual 11 a.m. and be offering customers bundles of LPs and 45s throughout the day at bargain prices, such as three 45s for $1. The shop's "Butcher," an employee dressed as a butcher serving up his own vinyl selects wrapped up like meat, will have equally affordable bundles pre-wrapped and ready to go. Ciba says the shop will also have an assortment of collections available to purchase and Dark Fog will be playing at 7 p.m. as part of its record release event.

Permanent Records, 1914 W. Chicago Ave.: With doors opening at 10 a.m., Permanent Records is throwing an all-day party and even an after-party.

Early birds will get Dark Matter coffee, yes that's free Dark Matter coffee in the morning before Half Acre Beer Company comes to tap the keg at 1 p.m. (free for those 21+). In addition to carrying many exclusives, Permanent will also be releasing its own — the latest from LA psych-outfit Frankie and the Witch Fingers, "Sidewalk."

Those spending the day with the folks at Permanent will also be perusing (or digging like madmen) for records or listening to round-the-clock DJ sets from a venerable group of locals spinning from their own collections, including founder of local Eye Vybe Records Karissa Talanian, talent buyer for Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall Brent Heyl and music writer for the Chicago Reader Leor Galil, among others.

If you're not exhausted after a day of vinyl scavenging, head to Cafe Mustache for Permanent's afterparty, where DJs will spin until 3 a.m.

Bucket O' Blood Books & Records, 3182 N Elston Ave.: To celebrate, Bucket O' Blood throws a party. "We want everyone to really feel like it's a fun, special day and not a consumer frenzy," said Jennifer McKee, co-owner of the shop.

The store will open at 10 a.m. to kick off this year's Hawaiian luau. McKee encourages customers to break out their best tropical outfits as they'll get a lei to match when they walk in the store.

The first 50 people in the store will get a free gift, but McKee hasn't finalized the details. Everyone will get a "passport" that, if they get stamped at neighboring DMen Tap and The Beer Temple, will enter them to win a new turntable from Great Lakes Brewing.

Customers will also get a chance to limbo for extra discounts, to find a special record that earns them a free pair of Dr. Martens — all customers will get a 20 percent discount for Dr. Martens — and to win tickets to upcoming shows and a documentary on RSD at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival.

Dave's Records, 2604 N. Clark St.: What is the best kind of dessert? Free.

Courtesy of Molly's Cupcakes, Dave's will give out free cupcakes until supplies run out Saturday.

Dave's will also have music by Stonebelly, a Nebraska-based rock group, starting about 3 p.m. Dave Crain, the store's owner and namesake, says they'll be on "rock 'n' roll time" all day; the store will open about 10 a.m. but only when they're ready, and the band will, Crain says, "start playing when they start playing."

Crain has taken part in every Record Store Day and seen the event grow from a busy Saturday to a month's worth of sales in a single day.

"It's a great day of camaraderie," Crain says, "And it's a celebration that we're still here too."

Laurie's Planet of Sound, 4639 N. Lincoln Ave.: Planet of Sound will fill customers' ears with live music all afternoon. The shop opens at 9 a.m., and bands start at noon with Ted Wulfers celebrating the Cubs' 2016 World Series win.

Six groups will play with performances lasting until 6 p.m. Paul Nixon, an employee at the store, said to expect an hour of George Michael covers followed by David Bowie covers from 3 to 5 p.m.

The store, in its 10th year as a participant, will also be giving away beer from Lagunitas Brewing Company, as supplies last.

Borderline Music, 5351 N. Clark St.: A young gun in the vinyl celebrations, Borderline is participating in Record Store Day for the third time.

There will not be any live music at the store but the turntables will spin with dance, lounge and pop music from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

On top of the special releases, all used vinyl will be marked 25 percent off.

Reckless Records, three locations: 26. E. Madison St., 1379 N. Milwaukee Ave., 3126 N. Broadway: All Reckless locations are set to open at 10 a.m. to welcome an atmosphere that is "positive and electric," according to Reckless buyer Matt Jencik.

Reckless teamed with Revolution Brewing for a special beer called Hand Over Fist, which will be available right up the street from the Milwaukee Avenue location.

In addition to this collaboration, all three shops will be giving away free turntable slip mats in partnership with Revolution.

Two locations — Wicker Park and Broadway — will have live music starting at 2 p.m., featuring local artists. The pop-punk Smoking Popes headline at the Wicker Park store at 4:30 p.m. and Poison Arrows, whose LP is set to drop April 28, take the stage at the Broadway shop at 4 p.m.

A version of this article appeared in print on April 21, 2017, in the On the Town section of the Chicago Tribune with the headline "Record Store Day a rock 'n' roll party - Chicago stores marking event's 10th anniversary with bargains, freebies" —
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